The University of Virginia Foundation has decided to tear out its existing Birdwood Golf Course and build a new course in its place. It also plans to add a short course and a putting course. The foundation has tapped Love Golf Design, the golf course architecture firm founded by Davis Love III and his brother Mark, to design the new course. The firm’s work on the layout is part of a multiyear improvement plan for the Boar’s Head Resort, the UVA golf team’s facilities, and the historic Birdwood Mansion.
“A planned expansion of the Boar’s Head Resort’s tennis facilities will encroach on Birdwood’s third and fourth holes,” said Pat Hogan, UVA’s Executive Vice President and COO. “That eventuality, paired with millions of dollars in deferred maintenance needs on the course, prompted the Foundation to think more broadly.”
The course is home to the UVA men’s and women’s golf teams, and is also open to Boar’s Head guests and the public. Hogan noted that the Foundation owns additional property behind the Resort, which allows more room for relocation of holes and added golf facilities.
“After exploring the property this winter, we found so many options it was hard to narrow the new course down to just 18 holes,” said Lead Architect Scot Sherman. “Davis, Mark and I believe the variety of the site lends itself to building a course with a timeless character, and are pleased to be working with a routing that flows through valleys, over ridges, and across creeks.”
The Love team expects the new design to be finalized by this fall. As the design process continues, private funds are being raised to build the course.